Note: Photo tips are answers to questions asked on our Facebook page. If you would like to submit a question, please click here to submit your question. We will then post them on our Facebook page and let our fans respond to the question. We will then transfer the question over to our blog so we can keep them in an organized way for others to see.
Question from Denise: “I dont typically do kids portraits, but I have been hired to do just that. I am unsure as to what the best setting would be for two active boys. Heres the details; indoors (I may be able to encourage a yard shoot) their two young boys with very fair skin and Im using my D5000 for this. can anyone think of anything that I will absolutely need to take? whats the best settings to use for my speed?”
Kimberly: I honestly don’t really plan much besides taking a little chairs, and really only like to multiple kids outdoors.
Mollie: Shutter speed definitely needs to be priority – I don’t think I’d go under 100 for sure
Kimberly: Oops.. Pressed enter.Do their portraits outdoors during golden hour. It’s the most flattering.
Morgan: For shutter speed I would even say 200. take a reflector if you have one…find some shade and let them just be boys 😉
Justin: Definitely shutter speed. Plan on playing with them, and engaging them in order to keep their attention. Definitely try to get outside at some point. Shoot them running and jumping and playing (candid stuff) so that they are relaxed. I would definitely start with any stuff that the mother requests, or poses that you want to do. The earlier you do that the better, because after shooting a kid for 20 minutes, they get bored and the happy faces turn to despair and anger. So go in with a set list of what you want to shoot of the kids. Start with those, then get candids and creative fun stuff so they are happy and by the time they get bored and dont want to do it anymore, you should have a good set of poses and candids
Aaron: Google has a lot of helpful information if you do some looking around. Maybe ask a local photographer to shadow him/her if there are that many variables you’re unsure of. Not trying to be cold, just giving some honest thoughts. Sign up for weekly email tips from PictureCorrect.
Crystal: Reallllly try to get them outdoors 🙂 I try to keep SS above 1/400s with active toddlers/kids
Linda: Settings that the boys are comfortable work best. That way they are not looking around at the new and interesting things. Perhaps their yard, home or a park they go to.
Adrienne: Check child poses on Pinterest and the kids to be doing something they like doing. It takes a bit to get them to be themselves if you don’t. Definitely shutter speed! Have fun
Adrienne: And remember to get low. Eye level
Carolins’ Photography: eye level, favorite toys, let them show you their rooms. You can also place their fav little toy on a window sill to get a lovely silhouette. I find letting them do there own thing often produces the best candid shots.
Feel free to keep responding to this question using our comment section below.